What can I do about cats going in rubber mulch?

Question

We have five cats and we recently put down some rubber mulch around some plants with some edging, etc. It's about $200.00 in mulch and I didn't even think about the cats. Previously, we had only used rock, but I wanted to try something different and notice that rubber mulch was available. Since then, our cats have used it like crazy. I've tried spraying lemon juice and putting sticks in the mulch to deter them, but it's not working. I've looked into sprinklers, but the beds are not very big and the deck and patio where they sleep and eat is close, so many of the sprinkles reach too far for our situation. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. A tall fence is not very feasible where it is. I'm really trying to avoid replacing all the mulch, since we spent so much, but if I have to I will

Answer 1

Try planting some of these:

http://www.cat-repellant.info/html/diy-c...

Answer 2

Go to the closest dollar store and in the laundry soap isle there will be a carton of mothballs. Cats hate mothballs. Just sprinkle a few around in the rubber mulch. They will disolve if they get wet, but hopefully by the time the next rain comes the cats will have learned its not a good place to 'go'.

Answer 3

Try covering the mulch with chicken wire or another fine mesh wire which will prevent the cats from scratching in the mulch.  If they can't scratch it, they most likely will not use it.

Answer 4

Try lots of whole pinecones if you have them available.

Otherwise, cover the area the cats like to use with aluminum foil.  Hold it down with rocks.

Answer 5

I have 9 cats.

I sprinkle cayenne powder (finely-crushed red peppers, available at any grocery store) wherever I don't want them to "go".  

They sniff, get a hot snootful, and go away.  It doesn't hurt them, and it doesn't hurt your plants or your soil.  After a while, the cats may (you can't predict cats' behavior, as you know) associate the mulch with the hot snootful and leave the mulch alone without your having to replace the pepper.

Rubber mulch is expensive, but it's beautiful, doesn't have to be replaced, and doesn't float away in torrential rains.  I am however allergic to some component of rubber tires; working with rubber mulch makes me nauseated and achy all over.